The ranking places Leon County in the lower third of Florida counties for average teacher pay. The analysis also compares teacher compensation with the average wage of all workers in each county, providing another way to assess how competitive teacher salaries are within the local labor market.

Leon County’s average annual wage for all workers was $64,947 in 2025, ranking 13th statewide. That means the average Leon County teacher earned about 82% of the average wage for all workers in the county.

That produces a significant disparity between the two rankings.

Leon County ranked 44th for teacher pay but 13th for overall worker pay. In other words, while Leon County has relatively high wages compared with many Florida counties, its teachers’ average pay does not keep pace with the county’s broader labor market.

The analysis ranks Leon County 60th among the 67 counties when teacher wages are measured as a percentage of the county’s overall average wage. Only seven counties have a larger gap between teacher pay and the average wage of all workers.

That places Leon County in a notably different position from counties where teaching salaries are more competitive with local wages. In Bradford County, for example, teachers earned 129.6% of the county’s average wage, the highest ratio in Florida. Monroe County ranked second at 123.6%. At the other end of the spectrum, Miami-Dade teachers earned 69.8% of the county’s average wage.

The numbers have implications beyond the headline teacher salary.

For someone considering a teaching career in Leon County, the relevant comparison may not simply be what teachers earn in other school districts. Potential teachers can also compare the $53,226 average teacher wage with the $64,947 average wage available across the county’s broader workforce.

That makes teaching potentially less financially attractive to workers who have the qualifications to pursue other professions.

The same issue can affect retention. Existing teachers who can transfer their skills to other occupations or other Florida school districts may have an incentive to leave if competing opportunities offer higher compensation relative to the local cost of living and labor market.

The data therefore presents a two-part challenge for Leon County Schools. Its average teacher wage is already below the midpoint of Florida counties, ranking 44th, while the gap between teacher pay and other wages in Leon County is even more pronounced, with the county ranking 60th statewide on the teacher-to-overall-wage measure.

The figures do not, by themselves, establish that Leon County is losing teachers because of compensation or quantify the number of teachers who leave for higher-paying jobs. But they do show that teacher pay is comparatively weak both within Florida’s school districts and relative to the broader Leon County labor market.

For school officials seeking to recruit and retain high-quality teachers, that distinction could be important. Raising teacher salaries can make the profession more competitive not only against neighboring school districts, but against the other employment opportunities available to college-educated workers in Leon County.

Regional comparison raises additional concerns

The regional comparison provides another measure of Leon County’s competitiveness.

Among the seven North Florida counties examined, five pay their teachers more on average than Leon County. Jefferson leads the group at $59,241, followed by Santa Rosa at $58,498, Okaloosa at $57,408, Bay at $55,787 and Escambia at $53,556. Leon’s average of $53,226 is higher than only Wakulla at $52,646 and Gadsden at $50,533.

But the more significant difference is how teacher salaries compare with wages for other workers within each county.

In Jefferson County, teachers earned nearly 20% more than the average worker, while teachers in Wakulla earned about 4% more than the countywide average. Bay County teachers were essentially at wage parity with other workers, and Santa Rosa teachers earned nearly 10% more than the county average.

The situation is different in the counties where teacher salaries are closer to or below Leon’s. In Escambia, teachers earned 85.4% of the average wage for all workers, compared with Leon’s 82%. Okaloosa teachers earned 89.9% of the countywide average.

The regional numbers suggest that Leon County faces competition on two fronts. Several nearby counties offer teachers higher average salaries, while others make teaching more competitive relative to the wages available in their local economies.

For Leon County Schools, that means teacher recruitment is taking place in a regional labor market where candidates can find districts offering higher salaries or, in some cases, a stronger relationship between teaching pay and other local employment opportunities.

The data does not establish how many Leon County teachers have left for these counties or whether salary differences are the reason they leave. But it does show that Leon’s teacher compensation is less competitive than that of many nearby counties, adding another challenge for the district as it seeks to attract and retain teachers.

Rusty Edwards, who presented the update, provided the board with a breakdown of out-of-school suspensions and expulsions, distinguishing between total disciplinary actions and unique students involved. The data revealed a complex “expulsion process” that often carries over from one school year to the next.

Board members expressed concern over the “purgatory” or “limbo” students face while awaiting final board action. Edwards clarified that for Zero-Tolerance Offensives or incidents involving weapons or knives, state legislation mandates a minimum one-year expulsion. Also, depending on when an incident occurs, a student could be expelled for the remainder of a current semester plus the following two semesters, totaling three semesters in rare cases.

Edwards also noted that the process is often delayed if parents fail to attend required meetings, though the student remains recommended for expulsion in the interim.

The “Consistency” Argument

Board member Mr. Jones noted a troubling trend, stating that at one of his schools, the number of students being suspended has nearly doubled in just four years. He questioned whether these “burgeoning numbers” indicated a failing school climate or a lack of resources to mitigate behavior.

Edwards argued that the high numbers are actually a sign of improved administrative integrity. He explained that the district has moved away from a “willy-nilly” approach in favor of a “strict adherence to the Matrix,” a standardized set of discipline guidelines. “The actual consistency of application, I think, is a reason as to why some of the numbers seem to be going higher,” Edwards told the board. He predicted that as students realize expectations are being held consistently, the numbers will eventually “come back down”.

Mitigation and Community Engagement

To address the current trends, the district is implementing several strategies. An ad hoc committee recently “tightened” the Discipline Matrix to ensure more efficient and fair application across all schools. Also, the district has partnered with the State Attorney’s Office, the Sheriff’s Department, and the Tallahassee Police Department to deliver presentations to freshmen regarding the dangers of weapons, vaping, and fighting. These presentations are slated to expand to middle schools this year.

In addition, district leaders are holding ongoing “summits” and monthly meetings with Deans and Assistant Principals to review data and share alternatives to suspension
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Board members emphasized the need to communicate these changes to the public, ensuring the community understands that the high numbers reflect a “fair application” of rules intended to create a safer culture. “When you make certain that you respond to every incident fairly,” Mr. Jones remarked, “it then creates a culture of safety”.

A “Technology Center” in Crisis

The current TIS building, located at the corner of Appleyard and Pensacola Street, is a 46-year-old former electrical supply warehouse that has been “repurposed, repurposed, repurposed” over the decades. Justin Williamson, Director of TIS, warned board members that the facility’s infrastructure is no longer adequate to house the $5 million to $6 million worth of equipment that runs everything from district internet and security cameras to student data systems.

Williamson detailed several critical risks at the current site: The HVAC system, which must keep the server room at 68 degrees, is failing, risking equipment overheating. The fire suppression system is 30 years old, and the backup generators and power supplies are roughly 25 years old. The building suffers from constant leaks, including incidents where water poured directly into the server room.

If the current facility were to experience a total failure, Williamson estimated it could take at least a month to fully restore all district services.

The Proposed Solution

The Killearn Center property, which was appraised between $3.4 million and $3.9 million, was built specifically for digital broadcasting. Unlike the current TIS building, the facility features raised floors, gas fire suppression, and triple-redundant HVAC systems already in place.

Superintendent Hanna noted that the district’s current TIS property has been appraised at roughly $2.2 million to 2.3million Also, a buyer is already interested in purchasing it. After accounting for the sale and necessary move?in costs,Hanna estimated the net investment for the newbuilding would be approximately $1.5 million.

A Push for “One Roof” Consolidation

While board members generally agreed that the TIS department needs a new home, some pushed for a more comprehensive strategy to consolidate the district’s various administrative offices.

Board member Alva Smith argued against “piecemealing” buildings, suggesting the district should explore housing all employees under one roof to reduce overhead costs like roof maintenance and plumbing. “Now is an optimal time for us to be having this conversation,” Smith noted, pointing to the decline of commercial real estate prices.

The board has requested a comprehensive audit of all current administrative spaces, including the main administrative building and satellite offices like those on Bloxham Street. The goal of the audit is to determine the exact number of offices needed to potentially consolidate the entire district administration into a single, more efficient location.

Next Steps

The board requested a “menu” of options and a detailed plan of action before moving forward with the Karnes Center purchase. Superintendent Hannah agreed to reach out to local brokers to see if other properties could accommodate both the high-tech requirements of TIS and the general office needs of the district’s entire administrative staff.

The discussion also touched on the potential impact of the upcoming half-cent sales tax referendum, which could provide additional capital for long-term facility planning and physical plant improvements.

Leading the list of accolades, Boy With Wings received the Grand Prize for Fiction at the Next Generation Indie Book Awards. The novel also earned the Bronze Prize in Historical Fiction from the Independent Publishers Book Awards (IPPY Awards). In addition, the book’s striking design won the Cover Art – DaVinci Eye Award from the Eric Hoffer Book Award program.

The novel has also been recognized as a finalist in several major competitions, including the American Writing Awards (Hawthorne Prize), the National Indie Excellence Awards (Literary Fiction), the Readers’ Favorite Book Awards (Historical Fiction), and the International Book Awards (Cross-Genre Fiction). It was also shortlisted for the Shelley Award for Paranormal Fiction from the Chanticleer International Book Awards.

Set in the United States during the 1930s, Boy With Wings explores what it means to be different through the life of Johnny, a boy born with wings. After surviving a traumatic birth and childhood in a turpentine labor camp, Johnny finds himself traveling through the South as part of a sideshow, encountering an unforgettable cast of characters while searching for the truth about his origins and identity.

With its blend of historical fiction, magical realism, and powerful themes of identity and belonging, Boy With Wings continues to captivate readers and critics alike.

Mark Mustian is an author, attorney, and former Tallahassee elected official, as well as the founder of the Word of South Festival of Literature and Music in Tallahassee, Florida. A graduate of the University of Florida, he earned both his B.S. in Finance and Juris Doctor there.

You can find him online at MarkMustian.com

Gillum, 46, was ordered back into custody after appearing in Baldwin County court Thursday, August 6, according to prosecutors. The development comes just weeks after the former mayor was arrested in Alabama on drug-related charges.

The latest incident marks another setback for a politician who once stood at the center of Tallahassee and Florida Democratic politics.

Gillum served on the Tallahassee City Commission beginning in 2003 and became mayor in 2014. He served as mayor until 2018, when he left City Hall to run for governor.

His 2018 gubernatorial campaign transformed Gillum into a national political figure. He won the Democratic nomination and came within roughly 34,000 votes of defeating Republican Ron DeSantis in the general election.

Gillum’s political career subsequently unraveled amid a series of personal and legal controversies.

In July, Gillum was arrested in Baldwin County, Alabama, after authorities said a traffic stop led to the discovery of marijuana, drug paraphernalia and substances that tested positive for methamphetamine. He was released from jail the following day.

The latest case stems from conditions imposed on Gillum following that arrest. Prosecutors say participants in a court-ordered drug-testing program are assigned a color and must call a hotline each day. When their color is announced, they are required to report for testing. Authorities said Gillum failed to appear when his color was called. He was later tested and prosecutors said the result was positive for methamphetamine. He was then taken into custody again.

The allegations are particularly notable because Gillum previously disclosed struggles with alcohol and depression following his 2018 gubernatorial defeat.

In March 2020, Gillum was found by Miami Beach police in a hotel room with another man who had apparently overdosed. Police also reported finding suspected methamphetamine in the room. Gillum was not arrested in that incident, but he subsequently announced that he would seek treatment for alcohol abuse and step away from public life.

Gillum’s fall from one of Tallahassee’s most prominent political figures has been dramatic.

He entered the Tallahassee City Commission as a young politician in 2003 and eventually became one of the most prominent progressive voices in Florida politics. His 2018 campaign attracted national attention and made him a potential rising star within the Democratic Party.

Instead, his political career was followed by personal struggles, criminal investigations and the latest drug-related allegations.

For Tallahassee, where Gillum spent more than a decade in elected office, the latest episode represents another chapter in the long-running story of a former mayor whose political career once appeared headed toward the governor’s mansion.

Gillum has not publicly commented on the latest allegations.

The Tallahassee mayoral race has the largest fundraising totals. Former state Sen. Loranne Ausley leads with $347,252.92 in contributions, followed closely by Daryl Parks with $319,917.55. Jeremy Matlow has raised $188,987.90, while Mike Foust has collected $6,437.49.

The numbers make the mayor’s race the most competitive financially at the top. Ausley has raised about $27,335 more than Parks, while Matlow trails Ausley by roughly $158,265.

In City Commission Seat 3, Tom Derzypolski leads the six-candidate field with $116,519.16. Talethia Edwards is second at $84,294.26, followed by PJ Perez at $67,916.21. Maxwell Herrle has raised $31,880.07, while Norm Roche and Darryl Alfred are far behind at $7,256.87 and $6,375.90, respectively.

That makes Seat 3 a three-candidate fundraising race at the top, with Derzypolski holding a roughly $32,225 advantage over Edwards and $48,603 over Perez.

Seat 5 is less competitive financially. Dianne Williams-Cox leads with $75,537, more than three times the $23,784.26 raised by Dot Inman-Johnson and nearly four times the $19,970.30 raised by Tiffany Hill.

Among the Leon County School Board races, District 3 incumbent Darryl Jones is unopposed. District 5 has a substantial fundraising disparity, with Marcus Nicolas raising $14,797.78, compared with $3,481 for James G. Reilly Jr.

The figures suggest the mayor’s race is the closest fundraising contest, while Seat 3 has a meaningful three-way financial competition. Seat 5 and the School Board District 5 race show much larger fundraising gaps.

Beginning July 8, detectives investigated seven smash-and-grab-style burglaries that occurred throughout Tallahassee, with the most recent taking place on Aug. 2. In each case, the suspects used a large object to shatter the front glass door of a business before immediately targeting the cash register and fleeing in less than three minutes. Through investigative work, detectives determined all seven incidents were connected.

As the investigation continued, detectives collected evidence and subsequently identified the primary suspect, along with the vehicle believed to have been used during the burglary spree. Additionally, during several of the burglaries, the suspect was armed with a firearm while unlawfully entering the businesses.

The investigation ultimately led detectives to identify and locate the individuals responsible for the burglary spree. Through evidence collected during the investigation, detectives linked the suspects to the series of burglaries and recovered a firearm believed to have been used during several of the offenses. All three individuals were taken into custody without incident.

“This case is another example of the dedication and collaboration that exists across the Tallahassee Police Department,” said Chief Lawrence Revell. “From patrol officers responding to the initial calls to detectives, crime analysts and specialized investigative units working tirelessly behind the scenes, this investigation demonstrates our commitment to holding offenders accountable and protecting our business community.”

Those arrested include, Kymani Geter,16, who was charged with unarmed burglary of an unoccupied structure, armed burglary of an unoccupied structure, attempted armed burglary of an unoccupied structure, criminal mischief, and seven counts of petit theft.

Zyah Geter, 21, was charged with attempted unarmed burglary of an occupied structure, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and petit theft.

Antwaniya Winchester, 19, was charged with attempted unarmed burglary of an occupied structure, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and petit theft.

Augusta Raa Middle School accounts for the largest share of the district’s construction program. The school is slated for four major projects totaling $76.6 million, including two new classroom wings, a new gymnasium and performing arts center, and renovation of the administration and media wing along with site improvements.

Elizabeth Cobb Middle School is scheduled for three projects with a combined estimated cost of $49.5 million. Those include an 18-classroom wing, a second 18-classroom wing and a new cafeteria and performing arts center. Two of the three projects are identified as unfunded in the work plan.

John G. Riley Elementary School is planned to receive two projects totaling $41.5 million. The projects include construction of a new classroom wing and a new cafeteria and performing arts center. The classroom wing is currently listed as unfunded.

Griffin Middle School is scheduled for two projects totaling $15.5 million. Plans include construction of a new six-classroom wing, demolition of the existing gymnasium and remodeling of Building 12.

The district’s spending is heavily concentrated in the first three years of the plan. Capital expenditures are projected at $2.5 million in 2025-26, $32 million in 2026-27, $29.5 million in 2027-28, $16.5 million in 2028-29, and $103 million in 2029-30, bringing the five-year total to $183.5 million.

Current City Commissioner Dianne Williams-Cxx won the straw poll of NEBA members with 87% of the vote. Inman-Johnson received 12% and Hill garnered 1%.

A central theme was the role of the Tallahassee International Airport in economic development. Inman-Johnson labeled the airport the “biggest obstacle” to business recruitment, arguing that “simply changing the name from regional to international did not make it an international airport”. Williams-Cox defended the city’s progress, highlighting the development of an international processing center to facilitate global shipping. Hill emphasized a “people-inclusive” approach, suggesting the city must sit down with small businesses to identify specific permitting and incentive needs.

The candidates also sparred over the FSU/TMH academic health center. Williams-Cox championed the partnership as a way to leverage technology and improve rural healthcare. However, Hill raised concerns regarding transparency, noting that “17 documents” were reportedly incomplete when the decision to transfer assets was made. Inman-Johnson stressed that the center is years from reality and must prioritize maintaining indigent healthcare for those without insurance.

Addressing the perceived “3-2 split” on the current commission, Williams-Cox dismissed the narrative as “clickbait,” stating that the commission votes together 93% of the time. Hill countered that the perception exists because residents feel decisions often favor “big business”. Inman-Johnson pointed to broader dysfunction, citing the fire services fee dispute between the city and Leon County as a failure of intergovernmental cooperation.

In their closing statements regarding their first 100 days in office, Hill pledged to “build trust” through community workshops. Inman-Johnson vowed to “mend and heal divisions” between the city and county. Williams-Cox promised to “continue to follow our strategic plan,” maintaining public safety and housing as her top priorities.

The press conference was marked by a striking contrast between his plea for political civility and a series of pointed personal attacks against his opponent.

Matlow began his remarks by decrying the “negative mail, negative TV ads,” and “negative text” currently flooding the race, calling them “tactics that scare good people away”. He issued an explicit “call for calm,” urging all sides to “stop the smears, stop the lies… and stick to the issues”.

However, the majority of Matlow’s subsequent comments focused on the character and professional conduct of his opponent, Daryl Parks. Despite his plea to end “smears,” Matlow accused Parks of “grandstanding,” “villainizing” him, and acting as part of an “old guard” that rules with an “iron fist”.

Parks responded to Matlow’s press conference attack stating, “Jeremy Matlow’s desperate, mid-press-conference attack reveals exactly what he is: a divider, a bully, and a practitioner of the worst kind of deceptive politics.”

While Matlow insisted that candidates should “stick to the issues,” a significant portion of his address was dedicated to a controversial video related Talethia Edwards, a candidate for city commission seat 3. Matlow detailed allegations involving the Orlando Police Department, including claims of an “illegally” towed car, a “planted bomb,” and a candidate who “failed to appear again and again” in court.

Edwards responded to Matlow’s desire to move forward by stating, “I think that first starts with a formal apology from his campaign, as well as my opponent, P.J. Perez, who they employed this campaign manager on both campaigns, not just one, and a formal apology to the citizens of Tallahassee and the conservative residents in our community that was also misrepresented.”

During the press conference, Matlow argued that it was Parks who was failing to mention issues important to the public, yet Matlow himself spent considerable time discussing these third-party legal matters before pivoting to his own policy platform late in the conference.

Matlow framed the election as a choice between “the chaos of the last eight years” and a move toward a “more transparent and open government”. Paradoxically, he used the platform to criticize Parks for holding a press conference—the first of his campaign—labeling the move as “grandstanding” and a “personal attack” rather than an exercise in the transparency Matlow claims to champion.

In another rhetorical shift, Matlow characterized the current City Hall leadership as a “tiny faction of power players” and a “stubborn 3-2 majority” that “frustrate[s] the will of the voters”. Yet, when discussing regional issues like AI data centers, he noted that the combined city and county perspective often results in a “9 to 3 vote,” placing himself and Commissioner Porter in the minority against a broad consensus he otherwise dismissed as a “tiny faction”.

As the race enters its final stretch, Matlow continues to position himself as the only candidate with “real policy proposals,” even as his own rhetoric fluctuates between a demand for a higher road and the very “negative” tactics he publicly condemns.

The budget passed on a 4-1 vote, with District 1 board member Alva Smith casting the lone dissenting vote. The approved budget is approximately $32 million smaller than last year’s.

Superintendent Rocky Hanna said district leaders continue to face many of the same financial pressures that shaped last year’s budget.

“None of us are happy about this budget situation,” Hanna said. “Our staffing plan, we only funded at 98% this year. Our emergency reserves are at the lowest that I’ve seen now in my 11th year as superintendent.”

The district previously announced $7.8 million in budget reductions for the coming school year, citing continued enrollment declines. The cuts affect staffing, administrative operations, arts and athletics programs, and funding for community organizations.

Hanna said district operations have already absorbed significant reductions in an effort to protect classrooms.

“We cut our district cost centers, all district operations, by over 6% this year by consolidating positions and reducing operating expenses,” Hanna said. “We’ll continue to look at ways to cut at the district and not affect the classroom, but at some point, the classroom is going to be affected.”

Smith argued the district has not gone far enough to reduce spending before asking employees to shoulder the burden.

“I’m going to be a no on the budget this year until we find a way to make the deep cuts to support our teachers and support staff,” Smith said.

Board Chair Marcus Nicolas disagreed, saying substantial work has already been done to reduce costs and that school consolidation has been discussed as a possible future option.

The budget also leaves little room for teacher pay increases. Hanna said the district may ultimately seek voter approval of a property tax increase to generate additional local funding for teacher and staff salaries.

The Leon Classroom Teachers Association posted a comment a social media account addressing the teacher pay issue.

The statement said ” We have consistently advocated for consolidating non-school operations before considering the consolidation or closure of schools. At the same time, the District cannot continue to make two conflicting arguments: that declining enrollment requires school consolidation while also claiming that vouchers have had little impact on student enrollment. Both cannot be true to the degree they are being presented…..Our analysis of the District’s financial data from the 2017–18 through the 2024–25 school years shows that instructional spending increased by approximately 9%, while administrative site spending increased by approximately 42%. We have repeatedly asked Leon County Schools to explain the reasons for this disparity, but to date no rationale has been provided. Before discussing the consolidation of schools, this is one area that deserves careful examination as a potential source of savings.”

The board is scheduled to formally adopt the final budget at its Sept. 8 meeting.

Leon County Schools announced that Julie Lawson was not reappointed as principal and that Nikki Bradley would lead the Midtown elementary school beginning with the 2026-27 school year. The district did not publicly detail the findings at the time of the personnel change, but confirmed the decision followed an internal investigation.

According to reporting by the Tallahassee Democrat, the investigation centered on the school’s handling of an incident involving a student and examined whether administrators followed district policies for reporting, documenting and communicating with parents. The investigation also reviewed allegations involving Lawson’s treatment of employees who raised concerns about school operations.

The investigation concluded Lawson failed to comply with several district policies, including timely parental notification and appropriate administrative procedures following the incident. The report also detailed allegations of retaliation against employees who reported concerns.

Leon County Schools has not publicly released the complete investigative report, citing personnel confidentiality requirements under Florida law. The district has also not announced whether Lawson resigned or whether additional disciplinary action was taken beyond her removal as principal.

Lawson became principal of Kate Sullivan Elementary in 2021 after serving as an assistant principal in Leon County Schools. During her tenure, she was recognized by the district and community organizations for her leadership and school improvement efforts.

Kate Sullivan Elementary, one of Tallahassee’s oldest neighborhood schools, serves approximately 725 students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. Nikki Bradley assumed leadership of the school following the district’s decision not to reappoint Lawson.